I’ve watched hours of Hudl footage this season, and some common themes keep showing up. These aren’t one-off mistakes; they’re patterns across multiple crews. Here are a few observations that can help sharpen our game.
For All Officials
Officiate to the end of the play after throwing a flag. Too often, I see officials throw a flag and then give up on the play, walking toward the referee before the play is over. Don’t do it. Wings still need to mark forward progress, and umpires still need to get to the pile and separate players. Throw your flag, then finish the down exactly as if you hadn’t thrown it.
No phantom flags. We cannot throw because we “think” we saw something. For example, umpires observing ineligible players downfield: you must determine their location when the QB releases the ball, not when the ball crosses the line or when it’s caught. See the beginning, middle, and end of the play. If you only saw the end, you’re guessing. Train yourself to find reasons not to throw the flag; don’t look for reasons to throw the flag.
Pass interference: let the bang-bang plays go. When the ball and defender arrive simultaneously, leave it alone. The only exception is when the defender blasts a defenseless receiver without playing the ball, using open hands, or attempting a wrap-up tackle. In that case, consider a personal foul (Rule 9-4-3p).
Stop the clock—every time it’s required. After a fourth down, a first down, a penalty, a flag, or when another official signals, everyone should give the stop-the-clock signal. Whole crews walking around with their arms at their sides after a scrimmage kick play ends looks bad on film.
For Wing Officials
False starts: call elephants, not ants. We’re still seeing too many ticky-tack flags. A player adjusting his stance or settling is not a false start. Only throw if the movement clearly simulates the snap.
Get to the line to gain and the goal line. If you’re within 3 yards of the line-to-gain forward stake, move immediately to the line to gain. Your eyes need to be on that line before the runner arrives. The same principle applies near the goal line. If the ball is snapped between the goal line and the B-5, move straight to the goal line without reading the tackle. If it’s snapped between the B-5 and B-10, work hard to beat the runner there. Don’t drift with the play; get to the goal line first.
For Umpires
Don’t turn your back on the ball while moving from the line of scrimmage to your presnap position. I’ve seen film where the ball was snapped a second after the umpire turned to face the ball. When you spot the ball, you are responsible for ensuring the ball doesn’t move, and you have a handful of presnap actions to take (observing the snapper, looking for 50-79 numbers, observing the formation). Always face the ball and back out.
Hustle matters. When players go toward the sideline, hustle to improve your position as you observe the blockers ahead of the runner. Don’t stand 20–30 yards away and walk. Close in and manage the pile. I see too many umpires who stroll on the field while the ball is on the opposite side of the field. Also, work hard to get to the line of scrimmage during passing plays. You must rule on the passer’s location when he releases the ball, the location of the ball when it’s caught (beyond or behind the LOS), and the location of ineligible players when the ball is released if it crosses the neutral zone. You can’t accurately make those calls 5-7 yards away from the LOS.
For Back Judges
Correctly position yourself on punts. Stand 3–5 yards deeper than the receiver, and wide enough to see his hands without moving outside the hash mark. When the ball is downed near the sideline, you need to be visible in the film. Don’t be satisfied to stand in the middle of the field. Hustle to provide proximity to the players, especially when the ball goes out of bounds between the 25-yard lines.
Film is an unforgiving teacher—it exposes both our strengths and our blind spots. Don’t take these observations as criticism; take them as an opportunity. Each clip we watch is a chance to raise our standards.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
3/10 from the A-30. Team A attempts to run a middle screen, and multiple Team B linemen converge on quarterback A17 near the A-20. Under heavy duress, A17 throws the ball into the ground at the feet of A39, who is standing surrounded by Team B players, at the A-22.
- No foul
- Foul for illegal forward pass
Review Rule 7-5-2d